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Bowl-bound Gophers don't mind working the holiday

By John BrannenSpecial to the Pioneer Press

Posted:
12/25/2012 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated:
12/25/2012 09:30:19 PM CST

Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson (9) shakes hands with fans after beating Purdue in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct 27, 2012 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jesse Johnson) a college football game Saturday, Oct 27, 2012 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jesse Johnson)

HOUSTON -- As legions of Americans indulge in the holiday season, the Gophers are not celebrating.

They are in the midst of a business trip.

A 17-3 win over Illinois on Nov. 10 punched Minnesota's ticket to bowl eligibility. As a result, observing Christmas with immediate family has gone by the wayside for most of Minnesota's coaches and players, who are preparing to face Texas Tech on Friday in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.

But after missing the postseason the past two years, the Gophers wouldn't have it any other way.

"Being at home the last two years and watching all the other teams play, being in a bowl game is a privilege," senior quarterback and wide receiver MarQueis Gray said. "It's something we've worked hard for. I know all of these guys are happy to be here.

"Some guys don't have the privilege to go outside their state. Doing all these activities, that's one of the things that makes you want to get to a bowl game again and again throughout your college career."

Gray's wife and children made the trip to Houston with him, but otherwise, the sports adage of teammates and coaches as brothers in arms applies for the Gophers.

"We're here, and it's Christmas," Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said. "A lot of times, you want to be with your immediate families. A lot of these kids, this is the first time they may have never had the opportunity to spend Christmas with them. So it's an adjustment.

"We talk about it all the time, this is their extended family.

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That's part of the sacrifice to get to a bowl game. This is what you want to do. This is what college football is all about."

It also is about meeting expectations.

"If you're not busy this time of year, then you're usually not very happy, or you don't have a job," Kill said. "Whether you're not in a bowl game or you're not in the playoffs in the NFL. I think everybody is excited about being here and having the opportunity to represent the state of Minnesota and play well."

It is understood by the Gophers that opening gifts with family will have to wait until after Friday's game. But bowl officials played the role of Santa Claus, and every Minnesota player received NCAA-sanctioned presents.

"We got a 32-inch TV, a backpack, a belt buckle and a watch," Gray said. "We get taken care of at bowl games. That's the best thing about it. You're nervous at first, you're wondering if the NCAA is going to come after you. But getting those gifts is another one of those things that we have worked hard for."